Last Rights

I’ve tried not to make a big deal out of me leaving for Cambodia sooner than planned.  The truth, since it’s good for me to say it, is that this freaked me out.  I was beyond frazzled.  There was so much to do, there was a lot anyway, but now it was very very condensed.  From medicines to packing, work to paperwork, singing to emailing, I was ready to leave.  My time, while I was spending it as wisely as I could, was very taxed.  

There were ways around it though.  Greg stepped in, took me out of everything I was doing, and put me in the middle of the ocean with a Wavestorm, where none of it mattered.  Tiffany was here and it made sure that I was spending ‘us’ time and not just ‘get this done’ time.  The first instinct of helpful people is to do something in that person’s stead.  Well that doesn’t always work.  Many times in my life, people have asked ‘What can I do for you?’ and honestly, it is all stuff that only I can do.  Very rarely do I get someone that comes and says ‘Let’s take your brain out of this environment for a bit and we’ll come back when you’re done catching your breath’.  This time I had two.  :)

Friday was incredible.  Most importantly, it was Stef’s surprise going away party.  My dear Canadian beauty is going to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 18 months in the San Francisco, Oakland Temple Visitor’s Center Mission.  Freaking awesome.  So proud of her.  I went to her party thing after work, well, after I tracked down my bike.  I misplaced it.  My mind was a bit….if I was a computer, I would have been overheating.  There was a goodbye wall to Stef.  We had a moment and I almost cried; heck I’m almost crying now.   Stef is amazing and I love her and I have been so very blessed to be her visiting teacher; she taught me what a visiting teacher should be.   When I couldn’t stay at Stef’s party anymore, I went home to pack.

Saturday was my typical run-around day.  Chapel cleaning -> find housing-> house cleaning -> bank -> post office -> pharmacy -> soccer game -> signed a contract-> got cash -> got food ->….but then I had to wait at home and do….nothing.  The sun was down, nobody was home, and I was itching for something to do.  

Abby had the wonderful idea to host a party for all of the holidays that I’m going to miss.  We called it Hallothankmas.  Dressed up in costumes, ate Thanksgiving-similar food, and did White Elephant. 

Under Kylie’s mandate, my friends went around the room and said 1 thing about me that they are thankful for.   It was a lot to take in.

Here are mine for those of you who were there:

KylieMoe- You, my dear, are not afraid of your priorities and that has taught me so much.  I know that being around you has made me realize where mine are and you’ve taught me to be okay with that.  We’re going to surf more.

Adam- Thank you for letting me be blunt.  I don’t have to sugar coat anything, I just talk and we think it’s funny. 

Andrea- I haven’t been a very touchy person.  You are.  I’m so grateful that you are affectionate.  I’m working on it. 

Stef-  I’m grateful that Stef sees humor in everything.  Even your serious conversations are jovial.  I love it.

Savannah- I’m grateful that your weirdness is compatible to ours. 

Toby- I’m grateful that you are working on the piano.  I am always grateful to have friends who seek after music.

Martin- You know I’m stubborn, I think you call it ‘strong minded’ and I appreciate that.  I’m stubborn.  Thank you for sitting with me and loving me when there is nothing else anyone can do. 

Rachy- I love that you make time to do exactly what you want to.  Love it.  You know why?  It means I see you a lot. 

Kylie- I love running in to you.  I thank you for being happy to see me.

Lacey- Thank you for coming back.  Despite all odds, you came back to Hawaii.

Seth- Did you know that you were the first man to tell me that I was pretty?  You were.  You are great and kind, man, I want the world for you.

Abby- You just know everything.  I am so grateful that you are in touch with what is going on in my life. 

Oz- Thanks for being real.  You put on a show for anyone and you don’t hide what you’re thinking.

Aaron- Remember the time some local guy stole your backpack and put a chicken in it? I am so grateful that, in the midst of this major setback, for everything you lost, you realized that it could have been worse.  You were putting the moment behind you before the moment was even done.   Same with this summer; I think it takes a lot of courage to step out when you don’t want to.  I’m always grateful for a courageous friend.

Taylor- I’m grateful that you let us know when something doesn’t sit right with you.  It helps me be more aware. 

Kat- I’m grateful that we don’t have to be doing anything spectacular to have a good time; we’re fun even when we’re left to our own devices.  I’m also grateful that you know your Disney movies.

Ben- Thank you for being worried about me.  I got better advise from you about coming here than anyone else

Greg-  You’re right, for the last few weeks I was in Hawaii, I was losing it.  Thanks for becoming my friend anyway.  I’m on my game now, you’d be impressed.

Mike- Neither you nor I know how cherished this part of Hallothankmas will be.  Thank you for filming it. I am grateful for you as a neighbor, you love being around us and it creates a better sense of community.

Matthew- Thank you for telling me that, yes, this internship was a great opportunity and, yes, I should do it.
Rachel H-  I love it when we're both home.  Thank you for being caring and kind and sensitive to those around you. 

See you guys in December.  Take care of eachother.  Stef, I'll see you in August 2014.  Got it?